Tacloban, Philippines - The death toll from one of the strongest storms on record that ravaged the central Philippine city of Tacloban could reach 10,000 people, officials said Sunday after the extend of massive devastation became apparent and horrified residents spoke of storm surges as high as trees.

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Regional police chief Elmer Soria said he was briefed by Leyte provincial Gov. Dominic Petilla late Saturday and told there were about 10,000 deaths on the island, mostly by drowning and from collapsed buildings. The governor’s figure was based on reports from village officials in areas where Typhoon Haiyan slammed Friday.

Tacloban city administrator Tecson Lim said that the death toll in the city alone “could go up to 10,000.”

About 300-400 bodies have already been recovered, Lim said.

The typhoon barreled through six central Philippine islands on Friday, wiping away buildings and leveling seaside homes. Most of the deaths and destruction were on Leyte Island, where Tacloban is located.

The typhoon weakened Sunday as it approached central and northern Vietnam where authorities evacuated more than 500,000 people.

“The rescue operation is ongoing. We expect a very high number of fatalities as well as injured,” Interior Secretary Mar Roxas said after visiting Tacloban on Saturday. “All systems, all vestiges of modern living — communications, power, water — all are down. Media is down, so there is no way to communicate with the people in a mass sort of way.”

President Benigno Aquino III said the casualties “will be substantially more” than the official count of 151 as of Sunday — but gave no figure or estimate. He said the government’s priority was to restore power and communications in isolated areas to allow for the delivery of relief and medical assistance to victims.

The Philippine Red Cross and its partners were preparing for a major relief effort “because of the magnitude of the disaster,” said the agency’s chairman, Richard Gordon

A view of destroyed houses after super Typhoon Haiyan battered Tacloban city in central Philippines November 9, 2013. Possibly the strongest typhoon ever to hit land devastated the central Philippine city of Tacloban, killing at least 100 people, turning houses into rubble and leveling the airport in a surge of flood water and high wind, officials said on Saturday. The toll of death and damage from Typhoon Haiyan on Friday is expected to rise sharply as rescue workers and soldiers reach areas cut off by the massive, fast-moving storm which weakened to a category 4 on Saturday. (Credit: Reuters)

A mother and her son walk under damaged electric cables after super Typhoon Haiyan battered Tacloban city, central Philippines November 9, 2013. Typhoon Haiyan, the strongest typhoon in the world this year and possibly the most powerful ever to hit land battered the central Philippines on Friday, forcing millions of people to flee to safer ground, cutting power lines and blowing apart houses. Haiyan, a category-5 super typhoon, bore down on the northern tip of Cebu Province, a popular tourist destination with the country’s second-largest city, after lashing the islands of Leyte and Samar with 275 kph (170 mph) wind gusts and 5-6 meter (15-19 ft) waves. (Credit: Reuters)

Philippine military C130 cargo planes (L) ferrying supplies park at the tarmac outside an airport after super Typhoon Haiyan battered Tacloban city in central Philippines November 9, 2013. Possibly the strongest typhoon ever to hit land devastated the central Philippine city of Tacloban, killing at least 100 people, turning houses into rubble and leveling the airport in a surge of flood water and high wind, officials said on Saturday. The toll of death and damage from Typhoon Haiyan on Friday is expected to rise sharply as rescue workers and soldiers reach areas cut off by the massive, fast-moving storm which weakened to a category 4 on Saturday. (Credit: Reuters)

A view of a collapsed building after super Typhoon Haiyan battered Tacloban city in central Philippines November 9, 2013. Possibly the strongest typhoon ever to hit land devastated the central Philippine city of Tacloban, killing at least 100 people, turning houses into rubble and leveling the airport in a surge of flood water and high wind, officials said on Saturday. The toll of death and damage from Typhoon Haiyan on Friday is expected to rise sharply as rescue workers and soldiers reach areas cut off by the massive, fast-moving storm which weakened to a category 4 on Saturday. (Credit: Reuters)

An aerial view shows damaged structures as residents unload relief goods from a helicopter after Typhoon Haiyan hit a village in Panay island in northern Iloilo Province, central Philippines November 9, 2013. Typhoon Haiyan, possibly the strongest storm ever to hit land, has devastated the central Philippine city of Tacloban, killing at least 100 people and destroying most houses in a surge of flood water and high winds, officials said on Saturday. The toll of death and damage is expected to rise sharply as rescue workers and soldiers reach areas cut off by the massive storm, now barrelling out of the Philippines towards Vietnam . (Credit: Reuters)

Survivors assess the damage after super Typhoon Haiyan battered Tacloban city, central Philippines November 9, 2013. Typhoon Haiyan, the strongest typhoon in the world this year and possibly the most powerful ever to hit land battered the central Philippines on Friday, forcing millions of people to flee to safer ground, cutting power lines and blowing apart houses. Haiyan, a category-5 super typhoon, bore down on the northern tip of Cebu Province, a popular tourist destination with the country’s second-largest city, after lashing the islands of Leyte and Samar with 275 kph (170 mph) wind gusts and 5-6 meter (15-19 ft) waves. (Credit: Reuters)

A truck is seen slammed on a tree after strong winds brought by super Typhoon Haiyan battered Tacloban city, central Philippines November 9, 2013. Typhoon Haiyan, the strongest typhoon in the world this year and possibly the most powerful ever to hit land battered the central Philippines on Friday, forcing millions of people to flee to safer ground, cutting power lines and blowing apart houses. Haiyan, a category-5 super typhoon, bore down on the northern tip of Cebu Province, a popular tourist destination with the country’s second-largest city, after lashing the islands of Leyte and Samar with 275 kph (170 mph) wind gusts and 5-6 meter (15-19 ft) waves. (Credit: Reuters)

A welcome sign is seen at the entrance of battered Tacloban city, after super Typhoon Haiyan, central Philippines November 9, 2013. Typhoon Haiyan, the strongest typhoon in the world this year and possibly the most powerful ever to hit land battered the central Philippines on Friday, forcing millions of people to flee to safer ground, cutting power lines and blowing apart houses. Haiyan, a category-5 super typhoon, bore down on the northern tip of Cebu Province, a popular tourist destination with the country’s second-largest city, after lashing the islands of Leyte and Samar with 275 kph (170 mph) wind gusts and 5-6 meter (15-19 ft) waves. (Credit: Reuters)

Survivors push a sack of rice on a road after super Typhoon Haiyan battered Tacloban city, central Philippines November 9, 2013. Typhoon Haiyan, the strongest typhoon in the world this year and possibly the most powerful ever to hit land battered the central Philippines on Friday, forcing millions of people to flee to safer ground, cutting power lines and blowing apart houses. Haiyan, a category-5 super typhoon, bore down on the northern tip of Cebu Province, a popular tourist destination with the country’s second-largest city, after lashing the islands of Leyte and Samar with 275 kph (170 mph) wind gusts and 5-6 meter (15-19 ft) waves. (Credit: Reuters)

A pregnant woman walks past debris left by super Typhoon Haiyan after it battered Tacloban city, central Philippines November 9, 2013. Typhoon Haiyan, the strongest typhoon in the world this year and possibly the most powerful ever to hit land battered the central Philippines on Friday, forcing millions of people to flee to safer ground, cutting power lines and blowing apart houses. Haiyan, a category-5 super typhoon, bore down on the northern tip of Cebu Province, a popular tourist destination with the country’s second-largest city, after lashing the islands of Leyte and Samar with 275 kph (170 mph) wind gusts and 5-6 meter (15-19 ft) waves. (Credit: Reuters)

Survivors walks past uprooted palm trees after super Typhoon Haiyan battered Tacloban city, central Philippines November 9, 2013. Typhoon Haiyan, the strongest typhoon in the world this year and possibly the most powerful ever to hit land battered the central Philippines on Friday, forcing millions of people to flee to safer ground, cutting power lines and blowing apart houses. Haiyan, a category-5 super typhoon, bore down on the northern tip of Cebu Province, a popular tourist destination with the country’s second-largest city, after lashing the islands of Leyte and Samar with 275 kph (170 mph) wind gusts and 5-6 meter (15-19 ft) waves. (Credit: Reuters)

Debris litter a damaged airport after super Typhoon Haiyan battered Tacloban city in central Philippines November 9, 2013. Possibly the strongest typhoon ever to hit land devastated the central Philippine city of Tacloban, killing at least 100 people, turning houses into rubble and leveling the airport in a surge of flood water and high wind, officials said on Saturday. The toll of death and damage from Typhoon Haiyan on Friday is expected to rise sharply as rescue workers and soldiers reach areas cut off by the massive, fast-moving storm which weakened to a category 4 on Saturday. (Credit: Reuters)

The damaged control tower of Tacloban airport is seen after super Typhoon Haiyan battered Tacloban city, in central Philippines November 9, 2013. Possibly the strongest typhoon ever to hit land devastated the central Philippine city of Tacloban, killing at least 100 people, turning houses into rubble and leveling the airport in a surge of flood water and high wind, officials said on Saturday. The toll of death and damage from Typhoon Haiyan on Friday is expected to rise sharply as rescue workers and soldiers reach areas cut off by the massive, fast-moving storm which weakened to a category 4 on Saturday. (Credit: Reuters)

A car lies upside down outside an airport after super Typhoon Haiyan battered Tacloban city in central Philippines November 9, 2013. Possibly the strongest typhoon ever to hit land devastated the central Philippine city of Tacloban, killing at least 100 people, turning houses into rubble and leveling the airport in a surge of flood water and high wind, officials said on Saturday. The toll of death and damage from Typhoon Haiyan on Friday is expected to rise sharply as rescue workers and soldiers reach areas cut off by the massive, fast-moving storm which weakened to a category 4 on Saturday. (Credit: Reuters)

Residents look at the damaged village hall after Typhoon Haiyan hit Janiuay, in Iloilo province in central Philippines November 9, 2013. Typhoon Haiyan, possibly the strongest storm ever to hit land, has devastated the central Philippine city of Tacloban, killing at least 100 people and destroying most houses in a surge of flood water and high winds, officials said on Saturday. The toll of death and damage is expected to rise sharply as rescue workers and soldiers reach areas cut off by the massive storm, now barrelling out of the Philippines towards Vietnam. (Credit: Reuters)

Survivors who lost their homes use a Jeepney public bus as shelter after a super Typhoon Haiyan battered Tacloban city, central Philippines November 9, 2013. Typhoon Haiyan, the strongest typhoon in the world this year and possibly the most powerful ever to hit land battered the central Philippines on Friday, forcing millions of people to flee to safer ground, cutting power lines and blowing apart houses. Haiyan, a category-5 super typhoon, bore down on the northern tip of Cebu Province, a popular tourist destination with the country’s second-largest city, after lashing the islands of Leyte and Samar with 275 kph (170 mph) wind gusts and 5-6 meter (15-19 ft) waves. (Credit: Reuters)

Survivors walk past a fallen tree outside an airport after super Typhoon Haiyan battered Tacloban city, in central Philippines November 9, 2013. Possibly the strongest typhoon ever to hit land devastated the central Philippine city of Tacloban, killing at least 100 people, turning houses into rubble and leveling the airport in a surge of flood water and high wind, officials said on Saturday. The toll of death and damage from Typhoon Haiyan on Friday is expected to rise sharply as rescue workers and soldiers reach areas cut off by the massive, fast-moving storm which weakened to a category 4 on Saturday. (Credit: Reuters)

Damaged houses near the airport are seen after super Typhoon Haiyan battered Tacloban city, central Philippines, November 9, 2013. Possibly the strongest typhoon ever to hit land devastated the central Philippine city of Tacloban, killing at least 100 people, turning houses into rubble and leveling the airport in a surge of flood water and high wind, officials said on Saturday. The toll of death and damage from Typhoon Haiyan on Friday is expected to rise sharply as rescue workers and soldiers reach areas cut off by the massive, fast-moving storm which weakened to a category 4 on Saturday. (Credit: Reuters)

Children play near electric posts which were damaged after super Typhoon Haiyan battered Tacloban city, central Philippines, November 9, 2013. Possibly the strongest typhoon ever to hit land devastated the central Philippine city of Tacloban, killing at least 100 people, turning houses into rubble and leveling the airport in a surge of flood water and high wind, officials said on Saturday. The toll of death and damage from Typhoon Haiyan on Friday is expected to rise sharply as rescue workers and soldiers reach areas cut off by the massive, fast-moving storm which weakened to a category 4 on Saturday. (Credit: Reuters)

Damaged passenger boarding stairs are seen after super Typhoon Haiyan battered Tacloban city, central Philippines, November 9, 2013. Possibly the strongest typhoon ever to hit land devastated the central Philippine city of Tacloban, killing at least 100 people, turning houses into rubble and leveling the airport in a surge of flood water and high wind, officials said on Saturday. The toll of death and damage from Typhoon Haiyan on Friday is expected to rise sharply as rescue workers and soldiers reach areas cut off by the massive, fast-moving storm which weakened to a category 4 on Saturday. (Credit: Reuters)

Handout photo made available by the Masbate City Local Government Unit (LGU) on 10 November 2013 shows a Filipino family outside their typhoon-affected home in Masbate City, central Philippines, 09 November 2013. Typhoon Haiyan tore through the eastern and central Philippines beginning 08 November, flattening homes, toppling power lines and knocking out communications. Fierce winds ripped roofs off buildings as raging floodwaters swept debris and left vehicles piled on top of each other on the battered streets. The official death toll was 138, according to the national disaster relief agency. But its spokesman, Reynaldo Balido, said the toll was expected to jump as reports trickle in from badly hit areas where communications have been destroyed. (Credit: EPA)

Handout photo made available by the Masbate City Local Government Unit (LGU) on 10 November 2013 shows an uprooted tree that fell on a home following the typhoon in Masbate City, central Philippines, 09 November 2013. Typhoon Haiyan tore through the eastern and central Philippines beginning 08 November, flattening homes, toppling power lines and knocking out communications. Fierce winds ripped roofs off buildings as raging floodwaters swept debris and left vehicles piled on top of each other on the battered streets. The official death toll was 138, according to the national disaster relief agency. But its spokesman, Reynaldo Balido, said the toll was expected to jump as reports trickle in from badly hit areas where communications have been destroyed. (Credit: EPA)

A handout photo provided by Vietnam Red Cross, shows Red Cross staff helping local people dig a trench for shelter in preparation for the coming Typhoon Haiyan, in Danang, Vietnam, 09 November 2013. Reports state that the Vietnamese Government started to evacuate more than 100,000 people from the path of Typhoon Haiyan, according to state media, after the storm hit Philippines leaving at least 100 dead and nearly 800,000 displaced. (Credit: EPA)

A Filipino elderly woman views the recovered victims in the typhoon ravaged city of Tacloban, province of Leyte, Philippines, 09 November 2013. One of the world’s strongest typhoons ripped through the Philippines, displacing nearly 800,000 and causing widespread devastation. The Red Cross fears that more than 1,000 people have been killed in Typhoon Haiyan’s onslaught in the Philippines. (Credit: EPA)

A view of typhoon ravaged city of Tacloban, province of Leyte, Philippines, 09 November 2013. One of the world’s strongest typhoons ripped through the Philippines, displacing nearly 800,000 and causing widespread devastation. The Red Cross fears that more than 1,000 people have been killed in Typhoon Haiyan’s onslaught in the Philippines. (Credit: EPA)

Filipinos carry a victim in the super typhoon devastated city ofTacloban, Leyte province, Philippines, 09 November 2013. Philippine troops begin to retrieve bodies strewn in areas devastated by Typhoon Haiyan, which was feared to have killed more than 100 people. The most powerful cyclone in three decades battered the Philippines, killing a number of people and displacing over 718,000, disaster relief officials said. Typhoon Haiyan was packing maximum sustained winds of 235 kilometres per hour (kph) and gusts of up to 275 kph as it made five landfalls over the eastern and central provinces of Eastern Samar, Leyte, Cebu and Iloilo, the national weather bureau said. (Credit: EPA)

In this handout photo provided by Vietnam Red Cross, Red Cross staffs help local people to anchor their boats before the coming Typhoon Haiyan, in Danang, Vietnam 09 November 2013. Reports state that the Vietnamese Government started to evacuate more than 100,000 people from the path of Typhoon Haiyan, according to state media, after the storm hit Philippines leavin at least 100 dead and nearly 800,000 displaced. (Credit: EPA)

A handout photo provided by Vietnam Red Cross, shows Red Cross staff helping local people to anchor their boats in preparation of the coming Typhoon Haiyan, in Danang, Vietnam, 09 November 2013. Reports state that the Vietnamese Government started to evacuate more than 100,000 people from the path of Typhoon Haiyan, according to state media, after the storm hit Philippines leavin at least 100 dead and nearly 800,000 displaced. (Credit: EPA)

A handout photo provided by Vietnam Red Cross, shows Red Cross staff putting sand bags on the roof of a house in preparations of the coming Typhoon Haiyan, in Danang, Vietnam, 09 November 2013. Reports state that the Vietnamese Government started to evacuate more than 100,000 people from the path of Typhoon Haiyan, according to state media, after the storm hit Philippines leavin at least 100 dead and nearly 800,000 displaced. (Credit: EPA)

A view of typhoon ravaged city of Tacloban province of Leyte Philippines 09 November 2013. One of the world’s strongest typhoons ripped through the Philippines, displacing nearly 800,000 and causing widespread devastation. The Red Cross fears that more than 1,000 people have been killed in Typhoon Haiyan’s onslaught in the Philippines, according to chairman Richard Gordon. (Credit: EPA)

A view of typhoon ravaged city of Tacloban province of Leyte Philippines 09 November 2013. One of the world’s strongest typhoons ripped through the Philippines, displacing nearly 800,000 and causing widespread devastation. The Red Cross fears that more than 1,000 people have been killed in Typhoon Haiyan’s onslaught in the Philippines, according to chairman Richard Gordon. (Credit: EPA)

A view of typhoon ravaged city of Tacloban province of Leyte Philippines 09 November 2013. One of the world’s strongest typhoons ripped through the Philippines, displacing nearly 800,000 and causing widespread devastation. The Red Cross fears that more than 1,000 people have been killed in Typhoon Haiyan’s onslaught in the Philippines, according to chairman Richard Gordon. (Credit: EPA)

A telephone booth is surrounded by debris in the typhoon devastated city of Tacloban, Leyte province, Philippines, 09 November 2013.Philippine troops begin to retrieve bodies strewn in areas devastated by Typhoon Haiyan, which was feared to have killed more than 100 people. The most powerful cyclone in three decades battered the Philippines, killing a number of people and displacing over 718,000, disaster relief officials said. Typhoon Haiyan was packing maximum sustained winds of 235 kilometres per hour (kph) and gusts of up to 275 kph as it made five landfalls over the eastern and central provinces of Eastern Samar, Leyte, Cebu and Iloilo, the national weather bureau said. (Credit: EPA)

Filipinos carry a victim in the typhoon devastated city of Tacloban, Leyte province, Philippines, 09 November 2013. Philippine troops begin to retrieve bodies strewn in areas devastated by Typhoon Haiyan, which was feared to have killed more than 100 people. The most powerful cyclone in three decades battered the Philippines, killing a number of people and displacing over 718,000, disaster relief officials said. Typhoon Haiyan was packing maximum sustained winds of 235 kilometres per hour (kph) and gusts of up to 275 kph as it made five landfalls over the eastern and central provinces of Eastern Samar, Leyte, Cebu and Iloilo, the national weather bureau said. (Credit: EPA)

A Filipino stands next to a victim covered with a piece of debris in the typhoon devastated city of Tacloban, Leyte province, Philippines, 09 November 2013. Philippine troops begin to retrieve bodies strewn in areas devastated by Typhoon Haiyan, which was feared to have killed more than 100 people. The most powerful cyclone in three decades battered the Philippines, killing a number of people and displacing over 718,000, disaster relief officials said. Typhoon Haiyan was packing maximum sustained winds of 235 kilometres per hour (kph) and gusts of up to 275 kph as it made five landfalls over the eastern and central provinces of Eastern Samar, Leyte, Cebu and Iloilo, the national weather bureau said. (Credit: EPA)

Filipinos carry a victim in the super typhoon devastated city of Tacloban, Leyte province, Philippines, 09 November 2013. Philippine troops begin to retrieve bodies strewn in areas devastated by Typhoon Haiyan, which was feared to have killed more than 100 people. The most powerful cyclone in three decades battered the Philippines, killing a number of people and displacing over 718,000, disaster relief officials said. Typhoon Haiyan was packing maximum sustained winds of 235 kilometres per hour (kph) and gusts of up to 275 kph as it made five landfalls over the eastern and central provinces of Eastern Samar, Leyte, Cebu and Iloilo, the national weather bureau said. (Credit: EPA)

Filipinos carry a victim in the typhoon devastated city of Tacloban, Leyte province, Philippines, 09 November 2013. Philippine troops begin to retrieve bodies strewn in areas devastated by Typhoon Haiyan, which was feared to have killed more than 100 people. The most powerful cyclone in three decades battered the Philippines, killing a number of people and displacing over 718,000, disaster relief officials said. Typhoon Haiyan was packing maximum sustained winds of 235 kilometres per hour (kph) and gusts of up to 275 kph as it made five landfalls over the eastern and central provinces of Eastern Samar, Leyte, Cebu and Iloilo, the national weather bureau said. EPA/FRANCIS R. MALASIG (Credit: EPA)

Filipinos wait in line for relief goods in the super typhoon devastated city of Tacloban, Leyte province, Philippines, 09 November 2013. Philippine troops begin to retrieve bodies strewn in areas devastated by Typhoon Haiyan, which was feared to have killed more than 100 people. The most powerful cyclone in three decades battered the Philippines, killing a number of people and displacing over 718,000, disaster relief officials said. Typhoon Haiyan was packing maximum sustained winds of 235 kilometres per hour (kph) and gusts of up to 275 kph as it made five landfalls over the eastern and central provinces of Eastern Samar, Leyte, Cebu and Iloilo, the national weather bureau said. (Credit: EPA)

A Filipino carries a sack of rice in the super typhoon devastated city of Tacloban, Leyte province, Philippines, 09 November 2013. Philippine troops begin to retrieve bodies strewn in areas devastated by Typhoon Haiyan, which was feared to have killed more than 100 people. The most powerful cyclone in three decades battered the Philippines, killing a number of people and displacing over 718,000, disaster relief officials said. Typhoon Haiyan was packing maximum sustained winds of 235 kilometres per hour (kph) and gusts of up to 275 kph as it made five landfalls over the eastern and central provinces of Eastern Samar, Leyte, Cebu and Iloilo, the national weather bureau said. (Credit: EPA)

Filipino people walk past a victim left on the side of a street in the typhoon devastated city of Tacloban, Leyte province, Philippines, 09 November 2013. Philippine troops begin to retrieve bodies strewn in areas devastated by Typhoon Haiyan, which was feared to have killed more than 100 people. The most powerful cyclone in three decades battered the Philippines, killing a number of people and displacing over 718,000, disaster relief officials said. Typhoon Haiyan was packing maximum sustained winds of 235 kilometres per hour (kph) and gusts of up to 275 kph as it made five landfalls over the eastern and central provinces of Eastern Samar, Leyte, Cebu and Iloilo, the national weather bureau said. (Credit: EPA)

Filipinos walk past disrooted palm trees in the typhoon devastated city of Tacloban, Leyte province, Philippines, 09 November 2013. Philippine troops begin to retrieve bodies strewn in areas devastated by Typhoon Haiyan, which was feared to have killed more than 100 people. The most powerful cyclone in three decades battered the Philippines, killing a number of people and displacing over 718,000, disaster relief officials said. Typhoon Haiyan was packing maximum sustained winds of 235 kilometres per hour (kph) and gusts of up to 275 kph as it made five landfalls over the eastern and central provinces of Eastern Samar, Leyte, Cebu and Iloilo, the national weather bureau said. (Credit: EPA)

Filipino soldiers disembark at the devastated airport in Tacloban city, Leyte province, Philippines, 09 November 2013. The most powerful cyclone in three decades battered the Philippines, killing a number of people and displacing over 718,000, disaster relief officials said. Typhoon Haiyan was packing maximum sustained winds of 235 kilometres per hour (kph) and gusts of up to 275 kph as it made five landfalls over the eastern and central provinces of Eastern Samar, Leyte, Cebu and Iloilo, the national weather bureau said. (Credit: EPA)

A view of the devastated city of Tacloban, Leyte province, Philippines, 09 November 2013. The most powerful cyclone in three decades battered the Philippines, killing a number of people and displacing over 718,000, disaster relief officials said. Typhoon Haiyan was packing maximum sustained winds of 235 kilometres per hour (kph) and gusts of up to 275 kph as it made five landfalls over the eastern and central provinces of Eastern Samar, Leyte, Cebu and Iloilo, the national weather bureau said. (Credit: EPA)

Filipinos carry a victim in the super typhoon devastated city ofTacloban, Leyte province, Philippines, 09 November 2013. Philippine troops begin to retrieve bodies strewn in areas devastated by Typhoon Haiyan, which was feared to have killed more than 100 people. The most powerful cyclone in three decades battered the Philippines, killing a number of people and displacing over 718,000, disaster relief officials said. Typhoon Haiyan was packing maximum sustained winds of 235 kilometres per hour (kph) and gusts of up to 275 kph as it made five landfalls over the eastern and central provinces of Eastern Samar, Leyte, Cebu and Iloilo, the national weather bureau said. (Credit: EPA)

A picture made available by the Office of the Mayor of Coron, Palawan of a resident recover a body of a victim after Typhoon Haiyan hit the municipality of Coron, Palawan province in central Philippines, 09 November 2013. The most powerful cyclone in three decades battered the Philippines, killing at least 100 people and displacing over 718,000, disaster relief officials said. Typhoon Haiyan was packing maximum sustained winds of 235 kilometres per hour (kph) and gusts of up to 275 kph as it made five landfalls over the eastern and central provinces of Eastern Samar, Leyte, Cebu and Iloilo, the national weather bureau said. (Credit: EPA)

Dead people in floodwater after the super typhoon devastated the city of Tacloban, Leyte province, Philippines, 09 November 2013. Philippine troops begin to retrieve bodies strewn in areas devastated by Typhoon Haiyan, which was feared to have killed more than 100 people. The most powerful cyclone in three decades battered the Philippines, killing a number of people and displacing over 718,000, disaster relief officials said. Typhoon Haiyan was packing maximum sustained winds of 235 kilometres per hour (kph) and gusts of up to 275 kph as it made five landfalls over the eastern and central provinces of Eastern Samar, Leyte, Cebu and Iloilo, the national weather bureau said. (Credit: EPA)

A picture made available by the Office of the Mayor of Coron, Palawan shows residents walking among damaged buildings after Typhoon Haiyan hit the municipality of Coron, Palawan province in central Philippines, 09 November 2013. The most powerful cyclone in three decades battered the Philippines, killing at least 100 people and displacing over 718,000, disaster relief officials said. Typhoon Haiyan was packing maximum sustained winds of 235 kilometres per hour (kph) and gusts of up to 275 kph as it made five landfalls over the eastern and central provinces of Eastern Samar, Leyte, Cebu and Iloilo, the national weather bureau said. (Credit: EPA)

A picture made available by the Office of the Mayor of Coron, Palawan shows residents walking among damaged buildings after Typhoon Haiyan hit the municipality of Coron, Palawan province in central Philippines, 09 November 2013. The most powerful cyclone in three decades battered the Philippines, killing at least 100 people and displacing over 718,000, disaster relief officials said. Typhoon Haiyan was packing maximum sustained winds of 235 kilometres per hour (kph) and gusts of up to 275 kph as it made five landfalls over the eastern and central provinces of Eastern Samar, Leyte, Cebu and Iloilo, the national weather bureau said. (Credit: EPA)

A picture made available by the Office of the Mayor of Coron, Palawan residents walking among damaged buildings after Typhoon Haiyan hit the municipality of Coron, Palawan province in central Philippines, 09 November 2013. The most powerful cyclone in three decades battered the Philippines, killing at least 100 people and displacing over 718,000, disaster relief officials said. Typhoon Haiyan was packing maximum sustained winds of 235 kilometres per hour (kph) and gusts of up to 275 kph as it made five landfalls over the eastern and central provinces of Eastern Samar, Leyte, Cebu and Iloilo, the national weather bureau said. (Credit: EPA)

A picture made available by the Office of the Mayor of Coron, Palawan of residents carrying a body among damaged buildings after Typhoon Haiyan hit the municipality of Coron, Palawan province in central Philippines, 09 November 2013. The most powerful cyclone in three decades battered the Philippines, killing at least 100 people and displacing over 718,000, disaster relief officials said. Typhoon Haiyan was packing maximum sustained winds of 235 kilometres per hour (kph) and gusts of up to 275 kph as it made five landfalls over the eastern and central provinces of Eastern Samar, Leyte, Cebu and Iloilo, the national weather bureau said. (Credit: EPA)

A picture made available by the Office of the Mayor of Coron, Palawan shows residents walking among damaged buildings after Typhoon Haiyan hit the municipality of Coron, Palawan province in central Philippines, 09 November 2013. The most powerful cyclone in three decades battered the Philippines, killing at least 100 people and displacing over 718,000, disaster relief officials said. Typhoon Haiyan was packing maximum sustained winds of 235 kilometres per hour (kph) and gusts of up to 275 kph as it made five landfalls over the eastern and central provinces of Eastern Samar, Leyte, Cebu and Iloilo, the national weather bureau said. (Credit: EPA)

A picture made available by the Office of the Mayor of Coron, Palawan shows damaged buildings after Typhoon Haiyan hit the municipality of Coron, Palawan province in central Philippines, 09 November 2013. The most powerful cyclone in three decades battered the Philippines, killing at least 100 people and displacing over 718,000, disaster relief officials said. Typhoon Haiyan was packing maximum sustained winds of 235 kilometres per hour (kph) and gusts of up to 275 kph as it made five landfalls over the eastern and central provinces of Eastern Samar, Leyte, Cebu and Iloilo, the national weather bureau said. (Credit: EPA)

A picture made available by the Office of the Mayor of Coron, Palawan shows residents walking among damaged buildings after Typhoon Haiyan hit the municipality of Coron, Palawan province in central Philippines, 09 November 2013. The most powerful cyclone in three decades battered the Philippines, killing at least 100 people and displacing over 718,000, disaster relief officials said. Typhoon Haiyan was packing maximum sustained winds of 235 kilometres per hour (kph) and gusts of up to 275 kph as it made five landfalls over the eastern and central provinces of Eastern Samar, Leyte, Cebu and Iloilo, the national weather bureau said. (Credit: EPA)

A picture made available by the Office of the Mayor of Coron, Palawan shows residents walking among damaged buildings after Typhoon Haiyan hit the municipality of Coron, Palawan province in central Philippines, 09 November 2013. The most powerful cyclone in three decades battered the Philippines, killing at least 100 people and displacing over 718,000, disaster relief officials said. Typhoon Haiyan was packing maximum sustained winds of 235 kilometres per hour (kph) and gusts of up to 275 kph as it made five landfalls over the eastern and central provinces of Eastern Samar, Leyte, Cebu and Iloilo, the national weather bureau said. (Credit: EPA)

A picture made available by the Office of the Mayor of Coron, Palawan shows residents walking among damaged buildings after Typhoon Haiyan hit the municipality of Coron, Palawan province in central Philippines, 09 November 2013. The most powerful cyclone in three decades battered the Philippines, killing at least 100 people and displacing over 718,000, disaster relief officials said. Typhoon Haiyan was packing maximum sustained winds of 235 kilometres per hour (kph) and gusts of up to 275 kph as it made five landfalls over the eastern and central provinces of Eastern Samar, Leyte, Cebu and Iloilo, the national weather bureau said. (Credit: EPA)

A picture made available by the Office of the Mayor of Coron, Palawan shows residents walking among damaged buildings after Typhoon Haiyan hit the municipality of Coron, Palawan province in central Philippines, 09 November 2013. The most powerful cyclone in three decades battered the Philippines, killing at least 100 people and displacing over 718,000, disaster relief officials said. Typhoon Haiyan was packing maximum sustained winds of 235 kilometres per hour (kph) and gusts of up to 275 kph as it made five landfalls over the eastern and central provinces of Eastern Samar, Leyte, Cebu and Iloilo, the national weather bureau said. (Credit: EPA)

A picture made available by the Office of the Mayor of Coron, Palawan shows damaged buildings after Typhoon Haiyan hit the municipality of Coron, Palawan province in central Philippines, 09 November 2013. The most powerful cyclone in three decades battered the Philippines, killing at least 100 people and displacing over 718,000, disaster relief officials said. Typhoon Haiyan was packing maximum sustained winds of 235 kilometres per hour (kph) and gusts of up to 275 kph as it made five landfalls over the eastern and central provinces of Eastern Samar, Leyte, Cebu and Iloilo, the national weather bureau said. (Credit: EPA)

A view of devastated airport in Tacloban city, Leyte province, Philippines, 09 November 2013. The most powerful cyclone in three decades battered the Philippines, killing a number of people and displacing over 718,000, disaster relief officials said. Typhoon Haiyan was packing maximum sustained winds of 235 kilometres per hour (kph) and gusts of up to 275 kph as it made five landfalls over the eastern and central provinces of Eastern Samar, Leyte, Cebu and Iloilo, the national weather bureau said. (Credit: EPA)

A Filipino resident sift inside his blown home in the devastated city of Tacloban, Leyte province, Philippines, 09 November 2013. The most powerful cyclone in three decades battered the Philippines, killing a number of people and displacing over 718,000, disaster relief officials said. Typhoon Haiyan was packing maximum sustained winds of 235 kilometres per hour (kph) and gusts of up to 275 kph as it made five landfalls over the eastern and central provinces of Eastern Samar, Leyte, Cebu and Iloilo, the national weather bureau said. (Credit: EPA)